Democratic mayor backs Hugin

A Democratic mayor, Tony Frato of Branchville, has endorsed Republican Bob Hugin for the United States Senate.

“The high stakes in the New Jersey Senate race are bigger than any political party which is why I’m proudly supporting Bob Hugin for U.S. Senate,” said Frato, the three-term mayor of the small (pop. 851) Sussex County town. “Bob Menendez has spent the last 25 years in Washington as an ineffective, corrupt career politician demonstrating time and again that he is only interested in furthering his own interests over the people of our state. New Jersey deserves better.”

Branchville is solidly Republican town, where the GOP has a 53%-19% edge in voter registration. Frato was elected councilman in 1998 and won 61% in the 2010 mayoral race. He ran unopposed for re-election in 2011 and 2015.

“I have enjoyed bipartisan support throughout my years in public service and I have worked with people on both sides of the aisle to solve the problems our community faces. Bob Menendez has lost his way in Washington, where he seems to be serving himself instead of the constituents in New Jersey,” said Frato.

Frato is Hugin’s fourth Democratic endorsement, following Ocean County freeholder candidate Teddy Price, former 11th district congressional candidate Mark Dunec, and Brick Councilman Jim Fozman, who switched parties the day after backing Hugin.

“Bob Menendez’s track record of corruption and ineffectiveness are an embarrassment to New Jersey and I’m honored to have people like Mayor Frato who are willing to stand up and acknowledge this election is bigger than party politics,” Hugin said. “It’s about what’s best for the people of New Jersey. As Senator, I will do what I’ve done my whole life 一 bring good people together to get results.”